Some of the text is given in the rite, and some is left to the composition of the bishop or his delegate:

133. The celebrant briefly explains the significance of the enrollment that has just taken place. Then, turning to the candidates, he says the following or similar words:

N. and N., I now declare you to be members of the elect, to be initiated into the sacred mysteries at the next Easter Vigil.

Candidates:

Thanks be to God

He continues:

God is always faithful to those he calls: now it is your duty, as it is ours, both to be faithful to him in return and to strive courageously to reach the fullness of truth, which your election opens up before you.

Then the celebrant turns to the godparents and instructs them in the following or similar words.

Godparents, you have spoken in favor of these catechumens: accept them now as chosen in the Lord and continue to sustain them through your loving care and example, until they come to share in the sacraments of God’s life.

He invites them to place their hand on the shoulder of the candidate whom they are receiving into their care, or to make some other gesture to indicate the same intent.

A few awkward spots here. Explaining the significance of the enrollment might be better offered in a post-rite reflection or “debriefing.” A skilled presider might be able to do this succinctly in the rite. In my experience, the bishop has skipped this piece. While the instructions to the elect and godparents here are to-the-point, the directive of placing the hand on the shoulder seems a little late. A point could be made about adopting the gesture throughout the rite. Indeed, in parish celebrations, it is common to see it.

about Todd Flowerday

A Roman Catholic lay person, married (since 1996), with one adopted child (since 2001). I serve in worship and spiritual life in a midwestern university parish.

about John Donaghy

John is a lay missionary since 2007 with a parish in western Honduras. Before that he served in campus ministry and social justice ministry in Iowa. His ministry blog is http://hermanojuancito.blogspot.com

He also blogs reflections on the lectionary and saints/heroes/events of the date at http://walktheway.wordpress.com

He'll be a long-term contributor here analyzing the Latin American bishops' document from their 2007 Aparecida Conference.